BBC: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US has launched a series of “powerful” strikes on Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US Central Command (Centcom) said on Tuesday it had begun the assault, “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran’s deputy foreign minister called the US attacks a violation of the US-Iran memorandum signed last month, and warned that Tehran would “take decisive measures”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian state media says strikes had hit Qeshm island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik, where people have been injured by shrapnel. No deaths have been reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US had said there would be consequences to what it has called the “wholly unacceptable” attacks on the tankers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement on Tuesday night, Centcom said the US strikes were “in response to Iranian attacks”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the strikes, the US Treasury earlier on Tuesday revoked a waiver that had temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The licence, which authorised Iran to sell oil and petrol products, was part of the memorandum of understanding, signed by Washington and Tehran last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran’s foreign ministry called the move a breach of the memorandum and said it proved the “bad faith, inconsistency, and unreliability” of the US government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that Tehran “will take whatever measures it considers necessary to safeguard its national interests and national security”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking on the condition of anonymity before Centcom’s announcement of fresh strikes, the US official insisted that US negotiators would continue to work in “good faith” towards a final deal with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n